International Graduate Students

As an international student at Northeastern University, you are a part of a thriving global network. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, the D'Amore-McKim School of Business welcomes learners from all over the world to its vibrant, diverse community. Our unique graduate programs prepare students for a global business world that is being transformed by rapid change and digital innovation.

By the numbers

Top 50

ranked research university in U.S. News and World Report

180+

different countries in our student body and alumni network

41%

of our graduate students are international

Why choose D'Amore-McKim

  • Live and study in Boston. Build your expertise in Boston, a center of business innovation in the U.S., and a historic city known for its art and culture, world-renowned colleges and universities, and welcoming, diverse community.
  • Experience-powered learning. Northeastern is a global leader for industry-aligned learning. Your U.S. experience will give you the time to discover a new culture, the spark to think deeply about business concepts, and the tools to drive your career to new heights.
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT). Upon completion of your program, you may become eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) so you can work for up to 12 months in the U.S.
  • STEM designation. We offer two programs that allow international students on an F-1 visa, who study on our campus, to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after completing their program.
  • Stackable credits. Successful graduates can apply their certificate credits toward eligible master's degrees at Northeastern.
  • Flexible scheduling. Select programs allow you to start your classes in the fall, spring, or summer. Between semesters, you'll have time to travel or spend with family.
  • English-language fluency. Polish your skills as you immerse yourself in American business culture.

Meet some of our international students

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Application process

English Skills

English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. If you are not a native English speaker, we require a standardized test of English language proficiency unless you completed a bachelor's or master's degree at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or you have worked full-time for two years in the United States or other native English-speaking environment.

Support for non-native English speaking students

International and non-native English speaking students are invited to participate in high-quality language, academic, and cultural support through Global Student Success. English language and culture workshops are offered each term with topics that include English language skills, U.S. American culture, and general tips for academic and social success.

Global Pathways Program

If your proficiency in the English language does not meet the minimum requirement, you may apply to the university's Global Pathways program. This program will help you improve your English language skills and academic knowledge before enrolling in your program of choice.

Demonstrating Proficiency through Testing

We accept the following English language proficiency test scores: TOEFL iBT®IELTSDuolingo, and PTE Academic. Enter your scores and upload a scanned copy of your results as a document in your online application. Tests results are valid for two years.

  • TOEFL iBT – 3671 (program code); 02 (department code)
  • IELTS – There is no IELTS code. When you register there is a drop-down where you can select Northeastern University – D'Amore-McKim.
  • PTE Academic – W9H-K8-65
  • Duolingo – There is no Duolingo code. To have your results shared with us, please select “Northeastern University D'Amore-McKim School of Business” from the graduate school list.

Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business is currently test-optional and does not require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores. For more information, review our admissions policies.

In addition to the standard application requirements, we also require English translations of academic transcripts and if you apply to a campus-based program, you'll need to provide a copy of your passport

If you are neither a citizen nor a permanent resident of the United States, you must submit a scanned copy of your passport into the Documents section of your application to a campus-based program.

If you earned a degree outside the United States, you must request a course-by-course international credential evaluation. The Admissions Committee will accept an evaluation by any organization recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Many of our applicants use the services of World Education Services (www.wes.org). Include all postsecondary educational institutions you have attended—as well as any technical or professional schools—and your diploma or degree earned. Do not include transcripts from your secondary school or high school.

Frequently asked questions

Office of Global Services

The Office of Global Services (OGS) is also an invaluable source of expertise to help you stay compliant with your international student visa requirements throughout your study experience. Reach out to OGS with any questions or concerns. They offer the professional expertise and support you need to help you maintain compliance through immigration, academic, and your employment experiences.

Reach out to OGS with any questions or concerns* as soon as you've been admitted to the university and our expert staff will help you in any way they can.

*Please note that OGS does not assist with taxes

Global Student Success

Global Student Success provides international and non-native English speaking students with high-quality language, academic, and cultural support. Reading, Language and Culture, and Writing workshops focus on different skills and strategies for academic and social success.

International Tutoring Center

The International Tutoring Center invites to you enjoy comprehensive English language and academic support through one-on-one or group sessions with professional tutors. 

Non-credit Language Classes at Northeastern

Listening and Speaking classes help students improve their pronunciation, listening comprehension, speaking, and presentation skills. This noncredit course is offered four times per year and is open to all non-native English-speaking students from all colleges and all Northeastern campuses.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you, as a student studying on an F-1 visa, to accept off-campus employment as part of the curriculum of your degree program. D'Amore-McKim graduate programs that offer CPT are listed below. CPT can be full- or part-time employment that is directly related to your major area of study.

To participate in an off-campus experiential training in the U.S, F-1 students must obtain CPT authorization from Northeastern's Office of Global Services (OGS.) 

Upon successful completion of a one-year graduate certificate or degree program as an international student on an F-1 visa, you may become eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the United States for up to 12 months.
You can apply for 12 months of OPT upon completion of each higher degree level. Only one Post-Completion OPT application is allowed per academic degree level (i.e. Bachelor's, Master's, PhD). In other words, if you're an international student currently planning on a master's degree, earning a graduate certificate first can help you add to your credentials and maximize your work time in the United States.
When you earn a certificate in one of our full-time programs that is F-1 visa compliant, you'll be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) afterward. You may be able to complete your certificate, work in the United States for a year, complete your master's degree in an eligible program, and apply for an additional year of OPT.

Post-completion OPT comes with some requirements necessary to maintain status. A full list of these requirements is available through the Office of Global Services in their guidelines on maintaining status. Most importantly, it is important that you maintain your full-time enrollment for each academic term.

STEM designated programs meet strict curriculum guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

If you complete either program as an international student, you'll be able to apply for a STEM extension to your Optional Practical Training (OPT), allowing you to work in the United States after graduation for up to 36 months instead of just 12.

The D'Amore-McKim School of Business community stands with our university and its leadership in our dedication to cultivating equity and inclusion for all humankind. Understanding and solving our problems requires constant interaction among people who bring their own diverse contexts and experiences to the conversation. Therefore, we must be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that values the uniqueness of its members, recognizes the power and importance of diversity in our own and surrounding communities, and ensures their engaged participation.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Northeastern and D'Amore-McKim offers and partners with organizations that provide a variety of scholarships and fellowships to foster diversity and inclusion. Examples of these include The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Graduate Fellowship, Prospansica MBA Scholarship, Posse MBA Scholarship and Reach Out MBA Fellowship.

Graduate Student Clubs  

There are numerous university-wide and D'Amore-McKim-affiliated student groups that you may wish to join, and several are grounded in building inclusive communities and resiliency. Many of our graduate business students participate in the Graduate Students of Color Collective, Grad Q, and Out in Business.

Campus Resources

Participate in community-building programs, lectures, and events offered by Northeastern's cultural centers representing a range of affiliations and interests, including the LGBTQA Resource CenterLatinx Student Cultural CenterAsian American CenterOffice of Global Services, and many more.

F-1 visa compliant graduate business programs

STEM designated programs

Our STEM designation allows international students on an F-1 visa, who study on our campus, to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after completing their program. You would apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training, followed by an additional 24 months of OPT STEM Extension.

OPT-eligible programs

The following programs are compliant with F-1 visa requirements and, upon successful completion, allow you to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and work for up to 12 months in the U.S.

Master's and MBA programs

D'Amore-McKim has a pioneering reputation in experiential learning, and when combined with rigorous academics, the student experience is like no other. Our graduate degree programs are designed to prepare you for the future of work in a fast-paced and changing global economy.

*The MS in Accounting program is designed for Accounting majors from US-based institutions

Graduate certificates

Graduate certificate programs can be completed in just four or eight months and can help you apply essential business skills to your career today, while also earning credits that can be applied to a future Northeastern degree.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) / Academic Training (AT) eligible programs

CPT is a form of authorization available for eligible F-1 students before their program end date for experiential learning opportunities that are an integral part of an academic program at Northeastern University.

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